Ambient temperature is the temperature of the air in the immediate vicinity of the machine. This may differ due to the machine application from the generic ambient temperature for a geographic region. When selecting the proper oil viscosity for use, review both the regional ambient temperature and the potential ambient temperature for a given machine application. Generally, use the higher temperature as the criterion for the selection of the oil viscosity. Generally, use the highest oil viscosity that is allowed for the ambient temperature when you start the machine. In arctic applications, the preferred method is to use properly sized machine compartment heaters and a higher viscosity grade oil. Thermostatically controlled heaters that circulate the oil are preferred.
The proper oil viscosity grade is determined by the minimum outside ambient temperature. This is the temperature when the machine is started and while the machine is operated. In order to determine the proper oil viscosity grade, refer to the "Min" column in the table. This information reflects the coldest ambient temperature condition for starting a cold machine and for operating a cold machine. Refer to the "Max" column in the table in order to select the oil viscosity grade for operating the machine at the highest temperature that is anticipated.
Machines that are operated continuously should use oils that have the higher oil viscosity in the final drives and in the differentials. The oils that have the higher oil viscosity will maintain the highest possible oil film thickness. Consult your Caterpillar dealer if additional information is needed.
Note: SAE 0W oil and SAE 5W oil are not recommended for heavily loaded machines or machines that are operated continuously. These viscosity grades are not recommended for use in hydraulic hammers. The oils that have the higher oil viscosity will maintain the highest possible oil film thickness. Consult your Caterpillar dealer if additional information is needed.
Note: Some machine models and/or machine compartments do not allow the use of all available viscosity grades.
Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures
Note: Do not use only the "Oil Viscosity Grade" column when determining the recommended oil for a machine compartment. The "Oil Type and Specification" column MUST also be used.
Note: The footnotes are a key part of the "Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures" tables. Read all footnotes that pertain to the machine compartment in question.
Note: Use the oil type and the classification that is recommended for the various machine compartments.
Note: Some machine compartments allow the use of more than one oil type. For the best results, do not mix oil types.
Note: Different brands of oils may use different additive packages to meet the various machine compartment performance specification recommendations. For the best results, do not mix oil brands.
Note: After considering the information found in the associated footnotes, Caterpillar oils are the preferred oils. All other oil types and specifications that are listed in the applicable section are acceptable oils.
Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures(1) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compartment or System | Oil Type and Specification | Oil Viscosity Grade | °C | °F | ||
Min | Max | Min | Max | |||
Engine Crankcase(2)(3) | Cat DEO ULS
Cat DEO Multigrade Cat DEO SYN(4) Cat Arctic DEO SYN(5) Cat ECF-1-a(6) Cat ECF-2(6) Cat ECF-3(6) |
SAE 0W-20 | −40 | 10 | −40 | 50 |
SAE 0W-30 | −40 | 30 | −40 | 86 | ||
SAE 0W-40 | −40 | 40 | −40 | 104 | ||
SAE 5W-30 | −30 | 30 | −22 | 86 | ||
SAE 5W-40 | −30 | 50 | −22 | 122 | ||
SAE 10W-30(7) | −18 | 40 | 0 | 104 | ||
SAE 10W-40 | −18 | 50 | 0 | 122 | ||
SAE 15W-40 | −9.5 | 50 | 15 | 122 | ||
Swing Drives | Cat TDTO
Cat TDTO-TMS Cat Arctic TDTO SYN commercial TO-4 |
SAE 0W-20(8) | -40 | 0 | -40 | 32 |
SAE 0W-30(9) | -40 | 10 | -40 | 50 | ||
SAE 5W-30(9) | -30 | 10 | -22 | 50 | ||
SAE 10W | −30 | 0 | -22 | 32 | ||
SAE 30 | −25 | 25 | −13 | 77 | ||
SAE 50 | -15 | 50 | 5 | 122 | ||
Cat TDTO-TMS(10) | −30 | 25 | -22 | 77 | ||
Hydraulic System(11)(12) | Cat HYDO Advanced 10
Cat HYDO Cat MTO Cat DEO Cat DEO-ULS Cat TDTO Cat Arctic TDTO Cat TDTO-TMS Cat DEO SYN Cat Arctic DEO SYN Cat Arctic TDTO SYN Cat ECF-1-A Cat ECF-2 Cat ECF-3 Cat TO-4 Cat TO-4M Cat BF-1 |
SAE 0W-20 | −40 | 40 | −40 | 104 |
SAE 0W-30 | −40 | 40 | −40 | 104 | ||
SAE 5W-30 | −30 | 40 | −22 | 104 | ||
SAE 5W-40 | −30 | 40 | −22 | 104 | ||
SAE 10W | −20 | 40 | −4 | 104 | ||
SAE 30 | 10 | 50 | 50 | 122 | ||
SAE 10W-30 | −20 | 40 | −4 | 104 | ||
SAE 15W-40 | −15 | 50 | 5 | 122 | ||
Cat MTO | −25 | 40 | −13 | 104 | ||
Cat TDTO-TMS(10) | −20 | 50 | −4 | 122 |
(1) | When you are operating the machine in temperatures below |
(2) | Supplemental heat is recommended for cold soaked starts below the minimum ambient temperature. Supplemental heat may be required for cold soaked starts that are above the minimum temperature that is stated, depending on the parasitic load and other factors. Cold soaked starts occur when the engine has not been operated for a period of time. This allows the oil to become more viscous due to cooler ambient temperatures. |
(3) | Cat DEO-ULS or commercial oils that meet Cat ECF-3 specifications are strongly recommended for use in diesel engines that are equipped with Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) and other aftertreatment regeneration devices. |
(4) | Cat DEO SYN is a SAE 5W-40 oil viscosity grade. |
(5) | Cat Arctic DEO SYN is an SAE 0W-30 viscosity grade oil. |
(6) | Cat Engine Crankcase Fluid specifications. Commercial alternative diesel engine oils must meet one or more of these Cat ECF specifications. |
(7) | SAE 10W-30 is the preferred viscosity grade for the 3116, 3126, C7, C-9 and the C9 diesel engines when the ambient temperature is between -18° C (0° F) and 40° C (104° F). |
(8) | First Choice: Cat Arctic TDTO SYN - SAE 0W-20 Second Choice: Oils of full synthetic base stock without viscosity index improvers that meet the performance requirements of the TO-4 specification for the SAE 30 viscosity grade. Typical lubricant viscosity grades are SAE 0W-20, SAE 0W-30, and SAE 5W-30. Third Choice: Oils that contain a TO-4 additive package and a lubricant viscosity grade of SAE 0W-20, SAE 0W-30, or SAE 5W-30 |
(9) | First Choice: Oils of full synthetic base stock without viscosity index improvers that meet the performance requirements of the TO-4 specification for the SAE 30 viscosity grade. Typical lubricant viscosity grades are SAE 0W-20, SAE 0W-30, and SAE 5W-30. Second Choice: Oils that contain a TO-4 additive package and a lubricant viscosity grade of SAE 0W-20, SAE 0W-30, or SAE 5W-30. |
(10) | Cat TDTO-TMS (Transmission Multi-Season Oil) (synthetic blend that exceeds the TO-4M multigrade oil specifications) |
(11) | Cat HYDO Advanced 10 is the preferred oil for use in most Caterpillar machine hydraulic and hydrostatic transmission systems when ambient temperature is between |
(12) | Second choice oils are Cat HYDO, Cat MTO, Cat DEO, Cat DEO-ULS, Cat TDTO, Cat Arctic TDTO, Cat TDTO-TMS, Cat DEO SYN, Cat Arctic DEO SYN. Third choice oils are commercial oils that meet Cat ECF-1-a, Cat ECF-2, Cat ECF-3, Cat TO-4, or the Cat TO-4M specifications, and that have a minimum zinc additive level of 0.09 percent (900 ppm). Commercial biodegradable hydraulic oil must meet the Cat BF-1 specification. Refer to the machine Operation and Maintenance Manual and/or contact your local Caterpillar dealer before using commercial oils that meet Cat BF-1 in Cat Hydraulic Excavators. The minimum viscosity for commercial alternative oils used in most Cat machine hydraulic and hydrostatic transmission systems is 6.6 cSt at |
Note: For more information, refer to Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations".